What could be in the boxes, Sensei?
Why it's seasons 1-3! And you're on the cover! ^o^
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Why post-apocalypse through US zombie movies or Japanese kaiju anime?
I just watched a review of the videogame "The Last of Us", and Sessler mentioned how it reiterates the post-apocalyptic themes, made popular by zombie movies.
I was reminded of this TED talk on the zombie genre. In it, Daniel Drezner related the increasing frequency of zombie movies to America's post-9/11 mindset.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjke3VTp5ks&feature=share&list=PLbGXNMLue5g0fejoA1tVZWlocQv4ThKVl
If America is currently living in a post-apocalyptic shock, then I wonder how we handle it differently from the Japanese. o.o?
A great majority of anime is post-apocalyptic, and some documentaries have attributed this to Japan's experience of apocalypse in Real Life, when atomic bombs were dropped on them during World War II. Many of these old anime in the post-apocalyptic genre do often explain their fictional worlds' apocalyptic event as atomic explosion, or at least use the same type of mushroom cloud imagery or similar type of destructive effects. Pop culture stories also turned to atomic-influenced monsters, like Godzilla. Then, just giant monsters, as in many tokusatsu shows or Neon Genesis Evangelion.
It is only fairly recently that Japanese anime has expressed the post-apocalyptic genre through a zombie series, like High School of the Dead (HOTD). (But HOTD seems more like a stand-alone experiment or homage to the American zombie genre, more than an effective trend.) Why is that? And why does the zombie genre work so well for us, to express our post-apocalyptic sentiments? What is it about the American experience of "the apocalypse", as 9/11 seems to have been, that resonates so well with zombies? While Japan seems to have dealt with their post-apocalyptic feelings through giant monsters or kaiju?
I don't have answers. I'm just posing a question. I don't know enough about the details of the traumatic effects of the 9/11 attacks on American society's psychology as a whole. I don't know what in Japanese culture or their society's psychology made giant monsters speak to their trauma, so much more than something like zombies. I'm not an expert of zombie movies.
Although it has been said by some documentaries that the zombie apocalypse is often characterized by a fall of civilization, government, and authority. And without these, the characters in zombie movies often end up in just as much danger, from their fellow human survivors, if not more. Even in non-zombie post-apocalypse movies like Mad Max. This human threat also occurs in The Last of Us, from human survivors killing each other for resources, but also from the human authority figures in the post-apocalyptic world. Does this say something about what the big fear is in the American cultural mindset? Is this why the monster in American pop culture's cathartic discussion on apocalypse, look so human or was once human? ...Whereas the monster embodying the Japanese post-apocalyptic discussion is often very inhuman?
I should stop now, before I continue anymore unfounded speculation. ~.~;
Sunday, May 26, 2013
recent mail arrivals
Thank you, Right Stuf! for your recent deliveries! ^u^ I look forward to my other orders coming in this following week!
ponderings: Shonen fangirls without the yaoi; Shoujo fanboys without the leering
Watching Sengoku Basara movie Last Party again. I always have so much fun watching this series. I suddenly remembered some fangirl's post on Tumblr about Sengoku Basara being so much "manly awesomeness".
I wonder if we girls have to hide behind some fujoshi fascination with Shonen genre series, the same way some guys have to hide behind the sexy female character designs in Shonen-Romance series. o.o? I know that some people just want to always take their minds into the gutter, and quite frankly, we all occasionally get that mood at times. But do these Shonen genre themes and motifs of Fighting Spirit, struggle, and rivalry, really have to be explained through a yaoi lens for it to become an acceptable fandom for girls? Platonic rivalry (without reference to yaoi or girls competing over a guy) and struggle against obstacles, doubt, and wavering resolve, are all universal issues. And I love anything that inspires me to deal with those issues well. I get annoyed when people think I'm into Shonen genre series only because the casts are mostly men, and I must want some "hot guys" to oggle. ~.~;;; But try to argue that there's more to you than a gender stereotype. It's a tedious, exhaustive, pain in the ass...and hardly ever really successful. In fact, it's usually a lot of disbelief and humiliation. ~_~; I am reminded of all the Shonen-Romance genre series that comprise the majority of my brother's collection, and how fake he sounds, when he must defend his collection by shallowly talking about the cute female character designs. (Not that they aren't cute. Even I think they're cute.) But I also know that he likes anything cute; it's not just all "girls, girls, girls" in his brain. So I know he's into Shonen-Romance series for the drama as well. Afterall, he was the one always choosing romance movies for rental night, when we were kids, while I always went for action/fantasy. But I imagine that must be hard to explain AND defend your dignity as a guy; just as difficult as it is to convince people that it's not always just "yaoi, shonen ai, BL" going on in your fujoshi brain.
But I always respected my brother for being the big, former football linebacker who's unapologetic about liking Cute. Whether Pokemon, little kids, or frilly Mahou Shoujo. Once, I told him I was hesitant to bring a favorite manga with me (maybe even a cutesy, adorable manga), to read outside the house, because it would stir up a clash against the image people have of adults, and the assumptions people have against comics. When he realized I was apprehensive about being ridiculed for "reading comics at my age" or of a certain genre, he gave the best advice: "Screw those people! Do what you like!" And that's the best advice I could ever pass on. ^___^
I wonder if we girls have to hide behind some fujoshi fascination with Shonen genre series, the same way some guys have to hide behind the sexy female character designs in Shonen-Romance series. o.o? I know that some people just want to always take their minds into the gutter, and quite frankly, we all occasionally get that mood at times. But do these Shonen genre themes and motifs of Fighting Spirit, struggle, and rivalry, really have to be explained through a yaoi lens for it to become an acceptable fandom for girls? Platonic rivalry (without reference to yaoi or girls competing over a guy) and struggle against obstacles, doubt, and wavering resolve, are all universal issues. And I love anything that inspires me to deal with those issues well. I get annoyed when people think I'm into Shonen genre series only because the casts are mostly men, and I must want some "hot guys" to oggle. ~.~;;; But try to argue that there's more to you than a gender stereotype. It's a tedious, exhaustive, pain in the ass...and hardly ever really successful. In fact, it's usually a lot of disbelief and humiliation. ~_~; I am reminded of all the Shonen-Romance genre series that comprise the majority of my brother's collection, and how fake he sounds, when he must defend his collection by shallowly talking about the cute female character designs. (Not that they aren't cute. Even I think they're cute.) But I also know that he likes anything cute; it's not just all "girls, girls, girls" in his brain. So I know he's into Shonen-Romance series for the drama as well. Afterall, he was the one always choosing romance movies for rental night, when we were kids, while I always went for action/fantasy. But I imagine that must be hard to explain AND defend your dignity as a guy; just as difficult as it is to convince people that it's not always just "yaoi, shonen ai, BL" going on in your fujoshi brain.
But I always respected my brother for being the big, former football linebacker who's unapologetic about liking Cute. Whether Pokemon, little kids, or frilly Mahou Shoujo. Once, I told him I was hesitant to bring a favorite manga with me (maybe even a cutesy, adorable manga), to read outside the house, because it would stir up a clash against the image people have of adults, and the assumptions people have against comics. When he realized I was apprehensive about being ridiculed for "reading comics at my age" or of a certain genre, he gave the best advice: "Screw those people! Do what you like!" And that's the best advice I could ever pass on. ^___^
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
encouragement to rebel
For my friends trapped in spirit-eroding places and stagnating states of mind, please remember to rebel.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
SH Figuarts Lelouch
Today, the blessed Valerie Chance shared this at Google+'s Figure Photography group:
*____________________________________________________________________________*!
When I found out it was an articulated figurine AND that I hadn't missed the pre-order/release date, I nearly bit my knuckles off, trying to contain my absolute giddiness to throw money at the first online store carrying this Lelouch.
I mean, he's in his Zero costume! He's got multiple faceplates, including the Geass eye! His helmet can come on or off, and that cape comes on/off too! *o* And the articulation just makes this figurine gold, to us figurine photographers.
As much as I am wishing for an articulated C.C. figurine with sculpt of this caliber, I will definitely take this in the meantime.
I am so relieved by Bandai's initiative to compete with Good Smile Co. I love Good Smile Co.'s Figmas and Nendoroids, but those are in such demand, that a newbie collector like me, often can't get my hands on the characters I want. Or, as in the case of the Lelouch Figma, by the time I'm into the series and find out they made a figurine, the release is sold-out and it's just nearly impossible to find (without tons of money to burn, that is). Besides, Good Smile Co.'s Lelouch Figma had Lelouch in his school uniform, and I wanted his Zero outfit---And this new S.H. Figuarts is! *O*!!! ---Anyway, Bandai is also competing with Good Smile Co.'s Nendoroids. I bought Bandai's Chibi-Arts C.C. and she is absolutely ADORABLE! ...I wish she had some optional legs for standing poses, but she's still the favorite chibi figurine in my collection right now. Maybe even more than my Nendoroid Sanada Yukimura and Date Masamune, if I dare say such a thing. Bandai's S.H. Figuarts and Chibi-Arts mix so well with Good Smile Co.'s Figmas and Nendoroids, but with less ravenous competition already-established for buying, that I feel more hope that my hunts for these figurines can be successful.
Now...Do I keep shopping around online, or should I wait for Anime Expo?.........O.@?????
 |
| http://www.tomopop.com/s-h-figuarts-lelouch-forces-you-to-part-ways-with-your--28465.phtml |
*____________________________________________________________________________*!
When I found out it was an articulated figurine AND that I hadn't missed the pre-order/release date, I nearly bit my knuckles off, trying to contain my absolute giddiness to throw money at the first online store carrying this Lelouch.
I mean, he's in his Zero costume! He's got multiple faceplates, including the Geass eye! His helmet can come on or off, and that cape comes on/off too! *o* And the articulation just makes this figurine gold, to us figurine photographers.
As much as I am wishing for an articulated C.C. figurine with sculpt of this caliber, I will definitely take this in the meantime.
I am so relieved by Bandai's initiative to compete with Good Smile Co. I love Good Smile Co.'s Figmas and Nendoroids, but those are in such demand, that a newbie collector like me, often can't get my hands on the characters I want. Or, as in the case of the Lelouch Figma, by the time I'm into the series and find out they made a figurine, the release is sold-out and it's just nearly impossible to find (without tons of money to burn, that is). Besides, Good Smile Co.'s Lelouch Figma had Lelouch in his school uniform, and I wanted his Zero outfit---And this new S.H. Figuarts is! *O*!!! ---Anyway, Bandai is also competing with Good Smile Co.'s Nendoroids. I bought Bandai's Chibi-Arts C.C. and she is absolutely ADORABLE! ...I wish she had some optional legs for standing poses, but she's still the favorite chibi figurine in my collection right now. Maybe even more than my Nendoroid Sanada Yukimura and Date Masamune, if I dare say such a thing. Bandai's S.H. Figuarts and Chibi-Arts mix so well with Good Smile Co.'s Figmas and Nendoroids, but with less ravenous competition already-established for buying, that I feel more hope that my hunts for these figurines can be successful.
Now...Do I keep shopping around online, or should I wait for Anime Expo?.........O.@?????
neglected blog catch-up & Timid Otaku Sunday
I felt bad about not posting in this blog for a while (especially after the almost-daily frequency that I've been posting in my art journal blog). Lately, I thought I hadn't done anything especially otaku-related, enough to post in this blog.
But when I think about it, I post photos, every week, for the Figure Friday Challenge.
Google+ group Figure Photography:
Last Friday's theme was "battle".
These photos were actually not a band new photoshoot for last week's Figure Friday Challenge. Instead, I dug up my photos from Wondercon 2013. Day 2 badges had sold-out for that convention, and figurine photography was the only thing I could do that day around the convention center.
Even when I haven't been participating in the Figure Photography group, I now recall that I'm still doing otaku-related things. Like fan-art. Lately, I've been experimenting with omitting inked outlines. A friend of mine gave me the idea to try to make my Copic marker drawings look like watercolor paintings.
So to keep from neglecting this blog again, I've been considering posting at least once a week. Now, I don't know what day to choose, and sometimes, I may just have more posts than 1, at any given week. But it's been surprising how I've been able to post at my art journal blog, virtually daily, without the prompting of any personal goals. It'd be nice if this blog were guaranteed to be that regular. Now, my Fridays are shot by the Figure Friday Challenge. (I couldn't even get on that Cosplay Friday weekly event, because sometimes my photoshoots are last-minute or take all day.) And Saturdays are trying to reassert themselves as Caturday, when I should be drawing some Nekotalia fan-art. So, how about Sunday? "Timid Otaku blog Sunday"...plus any extra posts that strike me during the rest of the week. ^.~
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